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110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 110-39
======================================================================
SOWING THE SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH ACT
_______
March 8, 2007.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Gordon of Tennessee, from the Committee on Science and Technology,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 363]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science and Technology, to whom was
referred the bill (H.R. 363) to authorize appropriations for
basic research and research infrastructure in science and
engineering, and for support of graduate fellowships, and for
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably
thereon with amendments and recommends that the bill as amended
do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Amendment.......................................................2
II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
IV. Hearing Summary.................................................6
V. Committee Actions...............................................7
VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................7
VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section)..............8
VIII. Committee Views................................................10
IX. Cost Estimate..................................................12
X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate......................12
XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4...............................14
XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............14
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........15
XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement.............................15
XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................15
XVI. Congressional Accountability Act...............................15
XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........15
XVIII.Earmark Identification.........................................15
XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported..........15
XX. Committee Recommendations......................................15
XXI. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup.......................16
I. AMENDMENT
The amendments are as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sowing the Seeds Through Science and
Engineering Research Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall carry out a program to award grants to scientists and engineers
at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education
and organizations described in subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in
fields relevant to the mission of the Foundation. The existing Faculty
Early Career Development (CAREER) Program may be designated as the
mechanism for awarding such grants.
(b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this
section shall be 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at least
$80,000.
(c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
(1) an institution of higher education in the United States;
or
(2) an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit,
nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum,
observatory, or research laboratory.
(d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a competitive,
merit-reviewed basis.
(e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant seeking
funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the Director at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Director may require. In evaluating the proposals submitted under this
section, the Director shall consider, at a minimum--
(1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
(2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed
research;
(3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research and
education, including undergraduate education in science and
engineering disciplines; and
(4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the
frontiers of knowledge.
(f) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
(g) Authorization of Appropriation.--For each of the fiscal years
2008 through 2012, the Director shall allocate at least 3.5 percent of
funds appropriated to the National Science Foundation for Research and
Related Activities to the grants program under this section.
(h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing
the distribution of the institutions from which individuals have
participated in the Faculty Early Career Development Program since
fiscal year 2001 among each of the categories of institutions of higher
education defined by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching and the organizations in subsection (c)(2).
(i) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Director shall transmit to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating
the impact of the program carried out under this section on the ability
of young faculty to compete for National Science Foundation research
grants.
SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy shall carry out a program to award grants to
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at
institutions of higher education and organizations described in
subsection (c)(2) to conduct research in fields relevant to the mission
of the Department.
(b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this
section shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be at
least $80,000.
(c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
(1) an institution of higher education in the United States;
or
(2) an organization in the United States that is a nonprofit,
nondegree-granting research organization such as a museum,
observatory, or research laboratory.
(d) Selection.--Award recipients shall be selected on a competitive,
merit-reviewed basis.
(e) Selection Process and Criteria for Awards.--An applicant seeking
funding under this section shall submit a proposal to the Director of
the Office of Science at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Director may require. In evaluating the proposals
submitted under this section, the Director shall consider, at a
minimum--
(1) the intellectual merit of the proposed work;
(2) the innovative or transformative nature of the proposed
research;
(3) the extent to which the proposal integrates research and
education, including undergraduate education in science and
engineering disciplines; and
(4) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the
frontiers of knowledge.
(f) Collaboration With National Laboratories.--In awarding grants
under this section, the Director shall give priority to proposals in
which the proposed work includes collaboration with the Department of
Energy National Laboratories.
(g) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section, the Director
shall endeavor to ensure that the recipients are from a variety of
types of institutions of higher education and nonprofit, nondegree-
granting research organizations. In support of this goal, the Director
shall broadly disseminate information about when and how to apply for
grants under this section, including by conducting outreach to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part B
institutions as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)) and minority institutions (as defined in
section 365(3) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))).
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Director's
responsibilities under this section $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2008 through 2012.
(i) Report on Recruiting and Retaining Early Career Science and
Engineering Researchers at the National Laboratories.--Not later than 3
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the
Office of Science shall transmit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on efforts to
recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages
of their careers at the Department of Energy National Laboratories. The
report shall include--
(1) a description of Department of Energy and National
Laboratory policies and procedures, including financial
incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent
research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of
recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists
and engineers;
(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the
careers of young scientists and engineers at Department of
Energy National Laboratories, and also on the quality of the
research at the National Laboratories and in Department of
Energy programs;
(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to efforts
to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, including
limited availability of full time equivalent positions, legal
and procedural requirements, and pay grading systems; and
(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and
retain young researchers and the source of such funds.
SEC. 4. INTEGRATIVE GRADUATE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH TRAINEESHIP
PROGRAM.
(a) Funding.--For each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the
Director of the National Science Foundation shall allocate at least 1.5
percent of funds appropriated for Research and Related Activities to
the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program.
(b) Coordination.--The Director shall coordinate with Federal
departments and agencies, as appropriate, to expand the
interdisciplinary nature of the Integrative Graduate Education and
Research Traineeship program.
(c) Authority To Accept Funds From Other Agencies.--The Director is
authorized to accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies
to carry out the Integrative Graduate Education and Research
Traineeship program.
SEC. 5. PRESIDENTIAL INNOVATION AWARD.
(a) Establishment.--The President shall periodically present the
Presidential Innovation Award, on the basis of recommendations received
from the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy or on
the basis of such other information as the President considers
appropriate, to individuals who develop one or more unique scientific
or engineering ideas in the national interest at the time the
innovation occurs.
(b) Purpose.--The awards under this section shall be made to--
(1) stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the
national interest;
(2) illustrate the linkage between science and engineering
and national needs; and
(3) provide an example to students of the contribution they
could make to society by entering the science and engineering
profession.
(c) Citizenship.--An individual is not eligible to receive the award
under this section unless at the time such award is made the
individual--
(1) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or
(2) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for
permanent residence who--
(A) has filed an application for naturalization in
the manner prescribed by section 334 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1445); and
(B) is not permanently ineligible to become a citizen
of the United States.
(d) Presentation.--The presentation of the award shall be made by the
President with such ceremonies as he may deem proper, including
attendance by appropriate Members of Congress.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICE FOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) In General.--The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
establish a National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure.
Such Office shall--
(1) identify and prioritize the deficiencies in research
facilities and major instrumentation located at academic
institutions and at national laboratories that are available
for use by academic researchers; and
(2) institute and coordinate the planning by Federal agencies
for the acquisition, refurbishment, and maintenance of research
facilities and major instrumentation required to address the
deficiencies identified under paragraph (1).
In prioritizing the deficiencies identified under paragraph (1), the
Office shall consider research needs in areas relevant to the Nation's
economic competitiveness.
(b) Staffing.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy shall appoint individuals to serve in the Office established
under subsection (a) from among the principal Federal agencies that
support research in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, and
shall at a minimum include individuals from the National Science
Foundation and the Department of Energy.
(c) Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy shall provide annually a report to Congress at the time of the
President's budget proposal--
(1) describing the research infrastructure needs identified
in accordance with subsection (a);
(2) listing research facilities projects and budget
proposals, by agency, for major instrumentation acquisitions
that are included in the President's budget proposal; and
(3) explaining how these facilities projects and
instrumentation acquisitions relate to the deficiencies and
priorities arrived at in accordance with subsection (a).
SEC. 7. RESEARCH ON INNOVATION AND INVENTIVENESS.
In carrying out its research programs on science policy and on the
science of learning, the National Science Foundation may support
research on the process of innovation and the teaching of
inventiveness.
SEC. 8. REPORT ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EARLY CAREER SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS.
Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall
transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of
Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on efforts to recruit and retain
young scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers at
the National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories and
joint institutes. The report shall include--
(1) a description of National Institute of Standards and
Technology policies and procedures, including financial
incentives, awards, promotions, time set aside for independent
research, access to equipment or facilities, and other forms of
recognition, designed to attract and retain young scientists
and engineers;
(2) an evaluation of the impact of these incentives on the
careers of young scientists and engineers at the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, and also on the quality
of the research at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology's laboratories and in the National Institute of
Standards and Technology's programs;
(3) a description of what barriers, if any, exist to efforts
to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, including
limited availability of full time equivalent positions, legal
and procedural requirements, and pay grading systems; and
(4) the amount of funding devoted to efforts to recruit and
retain young researchers and the source of such funds.
SEC. 9. NASA'S CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATION.
(a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) a balanced science program as authorized by section
101(d) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155) contributes
significantly to innovation in and the economic competitiveness
of the United States; and
(2) a robust National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
funded at the levels authorized under sections 202 and 203 of
that Act, would offer a balance among science, aeronautics,
exploration, and human space flight programs, all of which can
attract and employ scientists, engineers, and technicians
across a broad range of fields in science, technology,
mathematics, and engineering.
(b) Participation in Innovation and Competitiveness Programs.--The
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall fully participate in any interagency efforts to promote
innovation and economic competitiveness through scientific research and
development within the spending levels cited in subsection (a).
Amend the title so as to read:
A bill to authorize programs for support of the early
career development of science and engineering researchers, and
for support of graduate fellowships, and for other purposes.
II. PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of the bill is to bolster the research base in
the United States by strengthening federal investment in the
basic research that provides the background knowledge necessary
for future technology developments.
III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION
Science, technology, and global competitiveness
While the U.S. continues to lead the world in measures of
innovation capacity--research and development (R&D;) spending,
number of scientists and engineers, scientific output, etc.--
recent statistics on the level of U.S. support for research
relative to other countries indicate that this lead may be
slipping. At the same time, other nations--particularly
emergent nations such as China and India--have recognized the
importance of innovation to economic growth, and are pouring
resources into their scientific and technological
infrastructure, rapidly building their innovation capacity and
increasing their ability to compete with the United States in
the global economy.
Federal role in innovation
A number of recent reports have outlined the issues that
the United States faces as it tries to maintain a position of
leadership in science and technology and have offered
recommendations for what the nation should do to ensure its
economic and national security. The National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm,
describes how science and engineering are critical to American
prosperity, examines how the United States is doing relative to
other countries in science and technology today and makes
recommendations on how federal programs in support of research
and education could be improved to position the nation to make
the next generation of innovations needed to maintain U.S.
competitiveness and security going forward. Other reports on
this topic include the National Innovation Initiative, from the
Council on Competitiveness, which emphasizes the need to
strengthen the innovation infrastructure in the United States
to ensure future prosperity, and the National Defense Education
and Innovation Initiative, from the Association of American
Universities, which focuses on actions universities and the
federal government can take to meet oncoming economic and
security challenges.
This Act focuses on some of the recommendations made in
these reports that relate to science and technology research
funding. It strengthens federal support for science and
engineering researchers at the early stages of their careers,
expands the Integrative Graduate Education and Research
Traineeship program at NSF, establishes a Presidential
Innovation Award, establishes a coordination office for
research infrastructure, and authorizes NSF to support research
on innovation.
Support for young researchers is essential because they
face the greatest hurdles in setting up laboratories and
obtaining research grants, yet they are the ones who are most
likely to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and do
innovative or transformative work.
IV. HEARING SUMMARY
During the 109th Congress, the House Committee on Science
held two hearings relevant to H.R. 363. On Thursday, July 21,
2005, the Committee on Science held a hearing to examine the
relationship between federal science and engineering research
and education investments and U.S. economic competitiveness.
The witnesses were Mr. Nicholas Donofrio, Executive Vice
President for Innovation and Technology at IBM Corporation; Mr.
John Morgridge, Chairman of Cisco Systems, Incorporated, and
part-time professor at Stanford University's Graduate School of
Business; and Dr. William Brody, President of The Johns Hopkins
University and co-chair of the Council on Competitiveness
working group that authored the National Innovation Initiative.
The witnesses emphasized that the educational system needs
to provide students with a solid background in science and
engineering fields so that the United States has access to a
technologically-literate workforce. The witnesses also stressed
that investments in basic university research provide the
background knowledge necessary for future technology
developments.
On Thursday, October 20, 2005, the Committee on Science
held a hearing to receive testimony on the report released by
NAS on October 12 entitled Rising Above the Gathering Storm:
Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic
Future. The report, which was requested by Congress, recommends
ways to strengthen research and education in science and
technology. The witnesses were Mr. Norman R. Augustine, retired
Chairman and CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation (Mr.
Augustine chaired the committee that wrote the report); Dr. P.
Roy Vagelos, retired Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co. (Dr.
Vagelos served on the committee that wrote the report), and Dr.
William A. Wulf, President of the National Academy of
Engineering.
The witnesses emphasized that solving the problems of
global economic competition requires significant improvements
to America's K-12 and higher education systems and greater
support for basic research, including innovative research in
cutting-edge fields. The witnesses also stressed that the U.S.
ability to innovate has been the source of U.S. prosperity and
security, so future policy decisions should be aimed at
generating an environment that supports innovation by creating
a vibrant research base, educated workforce, and social climate
that encourages students to pursue science and technology
degrees.
V. COMMITTEE ACTIONS
On January 10, 2007, Rep. Bart Gordon, Chairman of the
Committee on Science and Technology, introduced H.R. 363, the
Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act,
a bill to authorize appropriations for basic research and
research infrastructure in science and engineering, and for
support of graduate fellowships, and for other purposes.
The Full Committee on Science and Technology met on
Wednesday, February 28, 2007, to consider the bill. Mr. Gordon
and Mr. Hall offered a manager's amendment in the nature of a
substitute that
removed Section 2, which spelled out
authorizations of specific appropriations at the
various federal agencies;
recast Section 7 as a coordination activity
at OSTP;
added a section directing NIST to transmit a
report to Congress on their efforts to recruit and
retain young scientists and engineers; and
added a section expressing the sense of
Congress that a balanced and robust research program at
NASA is a critical component of the national innovation
agenda.
The amendment was adopted by a voice vote. The bill was
then approved by a voice vote.
Rep. Ralph Hall, ranking minority member of the Committee,
moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 363,
to the House with the recommendation that the bill do pass, and
that the staff be instructed to make technical and conforming
changes to the bill and prepare the legislative report and that
the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before
the House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion
was agreed to by a voice vote.
VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
This bill
authorizes a program at NSF to fund young
faculty via grants of at least $80,000 per year over
five years to help researchers pursue innovative or
transformative research and requires that NSF allocate
at least 3.5 percent of funds appropriated to Research
and Related Activities (R&RA;) for these grants;
establishes a similar program at the
Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science with
authorized appropriations of $25,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2008 through 2012;
directs NSF to spend at least 1.5 percent of
R&RA; funds on the Integrative Graduate Education and
Research Traineeship program;
establishes a Presidential Innovation Award
for individuals who develop unique scientific or
engineering breakthroughs in the national interest;
establishes at the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP) a National Coordination Office
for Research Infrastructure, charged with identifying
and prioritizing deficiencies in research facilities
and instrumentation in academic institutions and in
national laboratories;
allows NSF to support research on the
process of innovation and the teaching of
inventiveness;
directs NIST and DOE to report to Congress
on their efforts to recruit and retain young scientists
and engineers; and
expresses the sense of Congress that a
balanced and robust science program at NASA contributes
significantly to innovation and economic
competitiveness.
VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research
Act
Section 2. National Science Foundation early career awards for science
and engineering researchers
Establishes a program at NSF to award grants to scientists
and engineers at the early stage of their careers at
institutions of higher education and research institutions.
Allows the existing Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER)
Program to be designated as the mechanism for awarding such
grants. Sets the duration of the awards to be five years and
the amount per year to be at least $80,000. Eligible applicants
are tenure-track faculty at institutions of higher education or
the equivalent at research organizations, such as
observatories. Requires the award recipients to be selected on
a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, based on the intellectual
merit of the proposed work; the innovative or transformative
nature of the proposed research; the extent to which the
proposal integrates research and education, including
undergraduate education in science and engineering disciplines;
and the potential of the applicant for leadership at the
frontiers of knowledge. Requires the Director of NSF to
allocate at least 3.5 percent of funds appropriated for R&RA;
each year to the grants program under this section.
Requires the Director of NSF to provide to Congress within
six months a report describing the distribution of the CAREER
Program awardees since fiscal year 2001 among different types
of institutions. Requires the Director to provide to Congress
within two years a report evaluating the impact of the CAREER
Program on the ability of young faculty to compete for NSF
research grants.
Section 3. Department of Energy early career awards for science and
engineering researchers
Establishes at the DOE Office of Science a program to award
grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their
careers at institutions of higher education and research
institutions. Allows the awards to be for up to five years and
the amount per year to be at least $80,000. Eligible applicants
are tenure-track faculty at institutions of higher education or
the equivalent at research organizations, such as
observatories. Requires the award recipients to be selected via
a merit-reviewed competition, based on the intellectual merit
of the proposed work; the innovative or transformative nature
of the proposed research; the extent to which the proposal
integrates research and education, including undergraduate
education in science and engineering disciplines; and the
potential of the applicant for leadership at the frontiers of
knowledge. Requires the Director of the Office of Science to
give priority to proposals in which the proposed work includes
collaboration with a National Laboratory. Authorizes
appropriations for the program of $25,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
Requires the Director of the Office of Science to provide
to Congress within three months of enactment a report on
efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers at
the early stages of their careers at the civilian National
Laboratories. The report shall include a description of
incentives for recruitment and retention, an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the incentives, a description of barriers to
recruitment and retention, and the amount and source of funding
devoted to recruitment and retention efforts.
Section 4. Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship
Program
Directs NSF to allocate at least 1.5 percent of the amounts
appropriated for R&RA; to the Integrative Graduate Education and
Research Traineeship (IGERT) program, which provides support
for graduate students in fields relevant to national needs. It
requires NSF to coordinate with other agencies to expand the
interdisciplinary nature of the IGERT program and authorizes
NSF to accept funds from other agencies to carry out the
program.
Section 5. Presidential Innovation Award
Establishes the Presidential Innovation Award, presented
periodically, on the basis of recommendations from the Director
of the OSTP, to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who
develop unique scientific or engineering ideas judged to
stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the national
interest.
Section 6. National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure
Establishes a National Coordination Office for Research
Infrastructure under OSTP to identify and prioritize
deficiencies in research facilities and instrumentation in
academic institutions and national laboratories. Requires the
Director of OSTP to provide an annual report to Congress
describing a list of infrastructure projects proposed for
funding.
Section 7. Research on innovation and inventiveness
Authorizes NSF, in carrying out its research programs on
science policy and the science of learning, to support research
on the process of innovation and the teaching of inventiveness.
Section 8. Report on National Institute of Standards and Technology
efforts to recruit and retain early career science and
engineering researchers
Requires the Director of NIST to provide to Congress within
three months of enactment a report on efforts to recruit and
retain young scientists and engineers at the early stages of
their careers at NIST and joint institutes.
Section 9. NASA's contribution to innovation
Expresses the sense of Congress that a balanced science
program at NASA contributes significantly to innovation and
economic competitiveness. Directs the Administrator of NASA to
fully participate in interagency efforts to promote innovation.
VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS
Funding for early career researchers
A number of reports, including Rising Above the Gathering
Storm from the NAS, emphasize the importance of funding
researchers at the early stages of their careers in science and
engineering. The Committee agrees that it is vital to provide
support that allows young researchers to establish their
laboratories and begin research projects that test accepted
notions about existing fields and that launch new fields. The
Committee expects that NSF will continue its successful CAREER
program, and the Act requires that, as overall funding for
research expands at NSF, funding for CAREER grants expand
proportionately to ensure that the pipeline of researchers
remains strong. The Committee expects that DOE will build on
its existing programs for young investigators to carry out the
early career program authorized in this Act. The Committee
authorizes DOE, in awarding the grants, to favor proposals that
include collaboration with the DOE National Laboratories. The
Committee intends that use of DOE facilities, such as light
sources, particle accelerators, nanoscale science research
centers, and supercomputers, be considered as collaboration
with the laboratories, provided that there is substantial time
spent at the facility or considerable interactions with DOE
staff associated with their use.
Integrative graduate education and research traineeships
The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship
(IGERT) program has been developed to meet the challenges of
educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers who will pursue
careers in research and education, with interdisciplinary
backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and
technical, professional, and personal skills to become leaders
and creative agents for change. The program is intended to
catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students,
faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new
models for graduate education and training in a fertile
environment for collaborative research that transcends
traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to
facilitate diversity in student participation and preparation,
and to contribute to a world-class, broadly inclusive, and
globally engaged science and engineering workforce. The
Committee directs that this program be sustained and grow along
with overall NSF research budgets.
Innovation awards
The Committee finds that a Presidential Innovation Award
can stimulate and focus research in selected areas of critical
national need. An example might be an award given for a
specific breakthrough in clean energy technology. The publicity
associated with this award can help entice and motivate
children to study subjects that lead to these innovations, can
help direct young researchers towards solving these pressing
national problems, and can help sustain the work of the
awardees, who are recognized as the most successful innovators.
National coordination office
Often cutting-edge research requires the development and
use of complex new instruments or systems of instruments.
Because the purchase of major facilities and instrumentation
cannot be distributed widely and evenly, difficult choices must
be made. Such choices require careful evaluation,
prioritization, oversight, and coordination across federal
agencies. The Committee directs that OSTP establish an office
to set the federal agenda in this area, so that federal funding
agencies can work together to tackle the highest priority
projects.
Research on innovation and inventiveness
The Committee expects NSF, in supporting research on the
process of invention and the teaching of inventiveness, to
involve the Directorate for Engineering, the Directorate for
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, and the Directorate
for Education and Human Resources. In addition, the Committee
expects that such activities might include research aimed at
increasing understanding of the creative mind and creative
environment, including studying the neural, cognitive, and
social factors that facilitate or inhibit moments of innovation
and discovery and the social and cognitive processes underlying
the development of curiosity and problem solving skills;
developing measures of inventiveness; studying the cultural,
social, and geographic contexts of innovation, including
examining the influence on inventiveness of flexible learning
environments and the role of parents, teachers, and mentors;
and examining what organizational forms and practices,
including patents and other governmental policies, facilitate
innovation, its transformation into products, and the movement
of products to markets.
NIST report on efforts to recruit and retain early career science and
engineering researchers
The report required in Section 8 is designed to provide the
Committee with information on how the NIST laboratories are
using their existing authorities to attract and retain early
career researchers with training in fields of national
importance. The Committee believes that it is necessary to
ensure that NIST is able to hire and retain young researchers
to help replace the growing number of NIST laboratory
scientists who are approaching retirement eligibility.
NASA's contribution to innovation
The Committee stresses that NASA contributes significantly
to innovation in and the economic competitiveness of the United
States. As such, it is imperative that the NASA Administrator
be a full participant in any interagency activity or discussion
related to efforts to promote innovation and economic
competitiveness.
IX. COST ESTIMATE
A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to
the Committee on Science and Technology prior to the filing of
this report and is included in Section X of this report
pursuant to House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
H.R. 363 does not contain new budget authority, credit
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R.
363 does authorize additional discretionary spending, as
described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the
bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.
X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
March 8, 2007.
Hon. Bart Gordon,
Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 363, the Sowing
the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Daniel
Hoople.
Sincerely,
Peter R. Orszag.
Enclosure.
H.R. 363--Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act
Summary: H.R. 363 would authorize funding for programs
within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department
of Energy (DOE) that provide research grants to scientists and
engineers in the early phases of their careers. The bill also
would establish the National Coordination Office for Research
Infrastructure within the Office of Science and Technology
Policy (OSTP). The new office would be responsible for
reviewing and reporting on research infrastructure across the
federal government. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 363
would cost $921 million over the 2008-2012 period, assuming
appropriation of the necessary funds. Enacting H.R. 363 would
have no effect on direct spending or revenues.
H.R. 363 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA);
the bill would benefit public institutions of higher education.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 363 is shown in the following table.
The cost of this legislation falls within budget functions 250
(general science, space, and technology) and 800 (general
government).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Spending Under Current Law:
NSF's Graduate Education and Early Career Programs:
Estimated Budget Authority a............................ 217 0 0 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays....................................... 228 174 76 27 9 0
Proposed Changes:
NSF's Early Career Awards for Science and Engineering
Researchers:
Estimated Authorization Level........................... 0 152 155 158 161 164
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 33 99 135 150 159
DOE's Early Career Awards for Science and Engineering
Researchers:
Authorization Level..................................... 0 25 25 25 25 25
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 6 16 22 24 25
NSF's Integrative Graduate Education and Research
Traineeship Program:
Estimated Authorization Level........................... 0 65 66 68 69 70
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 14 42 58 64 68
National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure:
Estimated Authorization Level........................... 0 2 2 2 2 2
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 2 2 2 2 2
Other Reporting Requirements:
Estimated Authorization Level........................... 0 1 0 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 1 0 0 0 0
Total Changes:
Estimated Authorization Level....................... 0 244 247 252 256 260
Estimated Outlays................................... 0 55 158 216 239 253
Spending Under H.R. 363:
Estimated Authorization Level a............................. 217 244 247 252 256 260
Estimated Outlays........................................... 228 229 234 243 248 253
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a The 2007 level is the amount appropriated for that year for NSF's graduate education and early center
programs.
Basis of estimate: H.R. 363 would authorize funding for
programs that provide support for students and researchers in
the fields of science and engineering. For those provisions,
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 363 would cost $921
million over the 2008-2012 period, assuming appropriation of
the necessary funds. For this estimate, CBO assumes that the
bill will be enacted in fiscal year 2007 and that spending will
follow historical patterns.
Early career awards for science and engineering researchers
Section 2 would direct NSF to allocate no less than 3.5
percent of amounts appropriated for scientific research
(approximately $4.2 billion in 2007) to award competitive
grants to researchers in tenure-track or equivalent positions
at institutions of higher education or nonprofit research
organizations. According to NSF, such a program would be
similar to the Faculty Early Career Development Program
currently in operation. CBO estimates that implementing this
provision would cost $33 million in 2008 and $576 million over
the 2008-2012 period to fund this program at the percentage
specified in the bill, and assuming that future NSF
appropriations for scientific research are adjusted for
anticipated inflation.
Section 3 would authorize the appropriation of $25 million
a year over the 2008-2012 period to the DOE Office of Science
for the operation of a similar early career grant program. CBO
estimates that implementing this program would cost $6 million
in 2008 and $93 million over the 2008-2012 period. DOE has
allocated about $1 million for a similar program in 2007.
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program
Section 4 would direct NSF to allocate no less than 1.5
percent of amounts appropriated for scientific research to the
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT)
Program. IGERT is an NSF-wide effort to provide funding to
universities that offer stipend support and tuition allowances
to undergraduate and graduate students in science and
engineering. Currently, NSF plans to use about $67 million of
science-related funding for this activity in 2007. (This is
approximately 1.5 percent of NSF's scientific research budget.)
CBO estimates that continuing that level of effort for this
program over the 2008-2012 period would cost $246 million,
assuming adjustments for anticipated inflation.
National Coordination Office for Research Infrastructure
Section 6 would establish a National Coordination Office
for Research Infrastructure within the OSTP to review and
report on research facilities infrastructure throughout the
United States. Using information from OSTP and based on similar
programs, CBO estimates that the office would require an
increase in staff and overall administrative expenses of about
$2 million annually to coordinate and report to the Congress on
research infrastructure.
Other reporting requirements
H.R. 363 would increase the reporting requirements of the
NSF, DOE, and the National Institute of Standards and
Technology. The majority of the reports specified in the bill
would be prepared within three to six months following
enactment of the bill and would be nonrecurring. CBO estimates
this provision would cost about $1 million in 2008.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 363
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA. Public institutions of higher education would
benefit from research funds and activities authorized in the
bill.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Daniel Hoople and
Matthew Pickford. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal
Governments: Lisa Ramirez-Branum. Impact on the Private Sector:
Craig Cammarata.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4
H.R. 363 contains no unfunded mandates.
XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The oversight findings and recommendations of the Committee
on Science and Technology are reflected in the body of this
report.
XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the goals of
H.R. 363 are to establish programs to provide grants to
researchers just starting their careers to conduct innovative
or transformative research; to authorize the acquisition of
shared scientific equipment by institutions of higher
education; to authorize a program at NSF to fund Integrative
Graduate Education and Research Traineeships; to establish a
Presidential Innovation Award; to create an office at OSTP for
coordinating federal funding of research facilities and
instrumentation; and to authorize research at NSF on
innovation.
XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 363.
XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
H.R. 363 does not establish nor authorize the establishment
of any advisory committee.
XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
The Committee finds that H.R. 363 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
XVII. EARMARK IDENTIFICATION
H.R. 363 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI.
XVIII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW
This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or
tribal law.
XIX. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
None.
XX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
On February 28, 2007, the Committee on Science and
Technology favorably reported the Sowing the Seeds Through
Science and Engineering Research Act by a voice vote, and
recommended its enactment.
XXI. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 363, SOWING THE
SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH ACT
----------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science and Technology,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:05 a.m., in Room
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Bart Gordon
[Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman Gordon. Good morning. The Committee on Science and
Technology will come to order. Pursuant to notice, the
Committee on Science and Technology meets to consider the
following measures: H.R. 363, Sowing the Seeds Through Science
and Engineering Research Act; H.R. 1068, To amend the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991; H.R. 1126, To reauthorize
the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology
Competitiveness Act of 1988; and H.R. 85, the Energy Technology
Transfer.
Today, we are here to markup these four bipartisan bills.
They are all good bills and I am happy to support them all. I
want to note that all of these bills have extensive legislative
histories in prior Congress. It is not my intention for this
committee to regularly markup legislation that has not gone
through the Subcommittee hearing process; however, as I noted
before, these bills were fully vetted in the last Congress and
they are ready to go.
I have said it before and I will say it again. I want this
committee to be a Committee of good ideas. Here, we have four
good ideas and I hope four bills everybody on this committee
can get behind and support.
Now I recognize Mr. Hall to present his opening remarks.
Mr. Hall. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for calling the markup
today. We have before us today, as you say, four bills that
were passed by this Committee in the 109th Congress, and I look
forward to their easy passage again today. The continued
bipartisan support for these bills reflects their broad appeal
and the fact that they are good bills and they are good for
this country.
The National Academy of Science's Rising Above the
Gathering Storm and the President's American Competitiveness
Initiative have emphasized the importance of supporting high-
risk research, young researchers, and research infrastructure
in the U.S. to ensure that the next generation of high tech
industries and products are developed in the United States.
H.R. 363 is a step in the right direction. I thank the
Chairman for his willingness to work with us on improving this
legislation, and recommend a yes vote for the manager's
amendment and for the underlying measure.
As the Chairman has already mentioned, Mrs. Biggert has
been instrumental in getting a high-performance computing bill
through the Committee and the full House, for that matter, in
two previous Congresses, and I certainly applaud her and Mr.
Baird for their persistence. I recommend a yes vote on H.R.
1068 and trust the Senate will follow suit when it is sent to
them once again.
I am happy to see Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Ehlers continuing
former Representative Hart's lead in their continuing effort to
reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. This is another bill
that has been passed twice by our committee in the full House,
and I also recommend a yes vote for H.R. 1126.
I would also recommend a yes vote for Representative
Biggert and Representative Miller's bill, H.R. 85, that will
provide for the establishment of centers to encourage
demonstration and commercial applications of advanced energy
methods and technology. As I understand, they will be offering
an amendment in the nature of a substitute that makes technical
corrections, which I support as well.
Mr. Chairman, I look forward to these bills moving to the
Floor. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Ralph M. Hall
Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this markup today. We have
before us today four bills that were passed by this committee in the
109th Congress, and I look forward to their easy passage again today.
The continued bipartisan support for these bills reflects their broad
appeal and the fact that they are good bills that are good for the
country.
The National Academy of Science's Rising above the Gathering Storm
and the President's American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) have
emphasized the importance of supporting high-risk research, young
researchers, and research infrastructure in the United States to ensure
that the next generation of high-tech industries and products are
developed in the United States. H.R. 363 is a step in the right
direction. This bill authorizes programs at the National Science
Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science
to provide grants to researchers just starting their careers to conduct
high-risk, high-return research at the cutting edge of new scientific
fields. In addition, it requires NIST to report to us on their efforts
to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, and it includes
our recognition that NASA should be at the table for any interagency
efforts to promote innovation and economic competitiveness. I thank the
Chairman for his willingness to work with us on improving this
legislation and recommend a ``yes'' vote for the managers' amendment
and for the underlying measure.
As the Chairman has already mentioned, Mrs. Biggert has been
instrumental in getting this bill through the Committee, and the full
House for that matter, in two previous Congresses, and I applaud her
and Mr. Baird for their persistence. I recommend a ``yes'' vote on H.R.
1068 and trust the Senate will follow suit when it is sent to them once
again.
I am happy to see Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Ehlers continuing former
Representative Hart's lead in their continuing effort to reauthorize
the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology
Competitiveness Act of 1988. This is another bill that has been passed
twice by our committee, and the full House and I also recommend a
``yes'' vote for H.R. 1126.
I would also recommend a ``yes'' vote for Rep. Biggert and Rep.
Miller's bill, H.R. 85 that will provide for the establishment of
centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of
advanced energy methods and technologies. I understand they will be
offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute that makes
technical corrections which I will support as well.
Mr. Chairman, I look forward to these bills moving to the floor and
being passed. With that I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Hall.
Without objection, Members may place statements in the
record.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Mitchell follows:]
Prepared Statement of Representative Harry Mitchell
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
America needs innovators and leaders if it wants to remain
competitive in the global economy. This is especially true when it
comes to science and engineering.
Retaining scientists and engineers, however, is often difficult,
because they receive such low pay early-on in their careers.
If we don't invest early in our future innovators, we will fall
behind.
Spreading technological innovation across existing industry is
another indispensable part of maintaining our competitiveness.
In my view, we should help businesses access both the technology
and the research they need to modernize and improve their efficiency.
Industry standards can also play a role.
Today, we are considering four bills to address these issues and I
look forward to working on them.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Gordon. At this point, we will now consider H.R.
363, Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research
Act. I yield myself five minutes to describe the bill.
H.R. 363 will implement several important provisions for
the National Academy of Science's report, ``Rising Above the
Gathering Storm.'' Let me take just a moment for the new
Members on the Committee. The Rising Above the Gathering Storm
came about when Sherry Boehlert, our former Chairman, Lamar
Alexander, and Jeff Bingaman, made a recommendation to the
National Academies that they give us a report on
competitiveness in the 21st century. It is my blueprint for
this committee. It is an exceptional piece of work. Norm
Augustine, who was the former Chairman of the Lockheed Martin
Marietta headed this committee. He will be before us in about
two weeks to go over it again. I hope that if you have not seen
it, there is an executive summary. I hope that your staffs will
make you aware of it. It is something I talk about at home all
the time. It is something that is really important for the
country, and very succinct. So you will see a lot of what we
are doing now is pulling out pieces of that, and if you haven't
had a chance, I would hope that you would get a chance to
review it. It would be good for everybody.
That report recommends that we, and I am quoting, ``sustain
and strengthen the Nation's traditional commitment to long-term
basic research that has the potential to be transformational,
to maintain the flow of new ideas that fuel the economy,
provide security, and enhance the quality of life.'' The
Gathering Storm doesn't merely offer this abstract
recommendation, it proposes six specific high-priority action
items to realize it. I hope in time we will be able to
implement all six of those items.
But H.R. 363 isn't trying to do all that at once. Here, we
have identified several action items that address research that
fall clearly within the jurisdiction of the Committee that have
broad bipartisan support, and that have, for the most part,
already passed through the Committee in a bill reported during
the 109th Congress. In my vision, when this committee notes
good ideas with broad bipartisan support, we are going to move
those ideas forward. We have been strategizing with the Members
on both sides of the aisle to determine exactly how to
structure this bill. In a few moments, Mr. Hall and I will
present the result of those negotiations as a manager's
amendment to the nature of a substitute. I will speak about the
details of that amendment when it is offered.
I urge my opponent--rather, colleagues, to support this
bill--I hope there are no opponents here--which invest in our
nation's capacity to innovate. It is through such measures that
we are guaranteed a scientific infrastructure to support a
continued high standard of living in our Nation in the decades
ahead.
I recognize Mr. Hall to present any remarks on the bill.
Mr. Hall. Mr. Chairman, I will speak a little bit later
when this lady to my right punches me and says it is time to
go.
But in the meantime, I just want to say when we have Norm
Augustine here, I hope all of us really listen to him. I don't
know if he is a Democrat or Republican, but I wonder sometimes
why we can't have a guy, clean guy, successful guy like him
running for President on one of the tickets. He really is a
great man. He is a giver and he has been before these
committees. A lot of times, he leads almost every effort
worthwhile in this country. Norm Augustine is really a great
American.
That is all I have to say. I yield back my time.
Chairman Gordon. You know, I concur and I really do
encourage you and the staff members that are here of Members
that aren't here yet, to get your Member here today--for this
particular meeting with Norm Augustine. You really will be
impressed. It is something we can do for our country and it is
something you can take home, also.
Does anyone else wish to be recognized?
Then I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as
read, and open to amendments at any point, and that the Members
proceed with the amendments in the order of the roster.
Without objection, so ordered.
The first amendment on the roster is a Chairman's amendment
offered in the nature of a substitute. I ask unanimous consent
that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be treated as
original text for the purposes of amendment under the five-
minute rule. Without objection, so ordered.
The Clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
363, offered by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee and Mr. Hall of Texas.
Chairman Gordon. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with
the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
I recognize myself for five minutes to explain the
substitute amendment.
This amendment in the nature of a substitute which I
offered with Ranking Member Hall represents the result of a
bipartisan agreement, and I think agreement sounds better than
negotiation, because it wasn't a negotiation, it was an
agreement. It incorporates several changes from the original
bill as introduced.
We have eliminated the original Section 2 that spelled out
specific authorizations of appropriations for research at
various agencies. The Committee will address these matters
separately as part of reauthorization bills of NIST and the
National Science Foundation, and in the future, DOE
authorization. The increases for the Office of Science at the
Department of Energy proposed under the American
Competitiveness Initiative are covered by the DOE authorization
statute that runs through fiscal year 2009. Section 7 has been
recast as a coordinated activity under the auspices of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy. This section creates a
mechanism for assessing, prioritizing, maintaining the Nation's
research facilities and major instrumentation.
Finally, the amendment adds two additional sections from
H.R. 5356 as reported by the Committee last year. The first
directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to
report on their efforts to recruit new scientists and
engineers. The second expresses the sense of Congress that a
balanced and robust research program at NASA is critical to
national competitiveness. The amendment retains the programs
contained in H.R. 363 as introduced that focus on early career
awards to young researchers through grant programs at the
National Science Foundation and DOE. These provisions, as well
as provisions expanding the National Science Foundation's
graduate traineeship program are identical to the language in
H.R. 5356 approved by the Committee last year. This is a
bipartisan amendment that authorizes several valuable programs
to strengthen basic research in the fields that would advance
innovation and contribute to the National Competitiveness.
I urge the approval of this committee, and now, let me tell
you in English what I was just mentioning there.
All these bills today by and large either passed this
committee or passed this committee and the House last time, but
because of either jurisdictional problems, petty
jurisdictional--well, I guess I shouldn't say that--
jurisdictional problems either here or in the Senate, because
there were parts of bigger bills that did not get enacted in
law.
So what we tried to do was slim the bills down so that they
are basically our jurisdiction. We tried to accommodate the
Senate on some of their quirks over there, and this again is an
effort to try to not just talk about things, but really try to
get some real competitiveness advantages for the United States.
These are small bills, but bills we can get passed, and those
really--that was the function of the various changes that we
made.
The other--since Mr. Hall didn't discuss it earlier, I
think now is the time for Mr. Hall, if he had any--if he would
like to------
Mr. Hall. Yeah. We might agree on what petty differences
mean. That is what the other side brings up.
We have not had any petty differences up to this time, so--
H.R. 363, as the Chairman has said, authorizes programs at the
National Science Foundation and at the Department of Energy,
Office of Science, to provide grants to researchers that are
just starting their careers to conduct high-risk, high return
research at the cutting edge of new scientific fields. In
addition, it requires NIST to report to us on their efforts to
recruit and retain young scientists and engineers. It includes
our recognition that NASA should be at the table for any
interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic
competitiveness.
I want to thank the Chairman and his staff. They have
worked well with our staff. They have had some agreements and
disagreements, but they worked all of them out. They have taken
some of the recommendations we made. We appreciate that, and we
look forward to passing these bills today and working now and
in the future as this Chairman gives us leadership.
Re-yield back to you, sir.
Chairman Gordon. Thank you.
Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of
a substitute?
If not, the vote occurs on the amendment in the nature of a
substitute. All in favor, say aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes have
it.
The vote is on the bill, H.R. 363 as amended. All those in
favor, say aye. All those opposed will say no. In the opinion
of the Chair, the ayes have it.
I recognize Mr. Hall to offer a motion.
Mr. Hall. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably
report H.R. 363 as amended to the House with a recommendation
that the bill do pass. Furthermore, I move that the staff be
instructed to prepare the legislative report and make necessary
technical and conforming changes, and that the Chairman take
all necessary steps to bring the bill before the House for
consideration.
Chairman Gordon. The question is on the motion to report
the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify
by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it. The bill is
favorably reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider
is laid upon the table.
I move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in
which to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views on
the measure.
I move pursuant to Clause I of Rule 22 of the Rules of the
House of Representatives that the Committee authorizes the
Chairman to offer such motions as may be necessary in the House
to adopt and pass H.R. 363, Sowing Seeds Through the Science
and Engineering Research Act, as amended. Without objection, so
ordered.
Let me finally say that these amendments--and I thank all
of you for a smooth hearing, smooth markup. We went fairly
quick today, but the reason is there was a lot of staff work
put in before this, and I thank the staff for that. I thank the
Members for their patience, and this is the conclusion of our
Committee markup.
Now let me--Ranking Member Hall has brought to my attention
that my gavel was a little fast earlier, and so for that
reason, I would like to ask unanimous consent that Mr. McCaul
have an opportunity to both place in the record any statement,
as well as make an oral statement at this time.
Mr. McCaul. I thank the Chairman for that opportunity, and
I want to commend the Chairman and Ranking Member for
introducing H.R. 363. It is an important bill. As we read the
National Academy of Science's report on the Rising Above the
Gathering Storm, clearly illustrates why we need this
legislation.
I was proud last Congress to have introduced the Research
for Competitiveness Act, which your bill incorporates many of
those provisions, so I want to thank you for the opportunity to
put this before the Committee again, and now that it passed
before the House Floor, hopefully it will get success this time
in this Congress on that bill.
It is a very important bill for teaching young scientists
and engineers at our universities, such as the one in my
hometown of Austin, University of Texas. So again, I want to
commend you for your efforts on this important legislation.
Chairman Gordon. Thank you, Mr. McCaul.
Yeah, it is fun being able to do something productive, and
I hope we are going to be able to do that.
You know, we are taking, to some extent, the low-hanging
fruit right now, but to continue this, the Subcommittees have
got to get to work and get out more good product. I think that
after we pass these four bills today, that we will probably
have passed more legislation into the Congress than any one
committee, even the Post Office Committee, which is--I am
pleased to announce.
Now let me, if I could, take a brief interlude from the
bills, because I would like to announce the appointment of our
new Vice Chairmen. The Vice Chairman of the Energy and
Environment Committee will be Ms. Gabrielle Giffords from
Arizona; Space and Aeronautics, Mr. Charlie Melancon. I guess I
just screwed that name up about as well as anybody, haven't I?
Okay. Research and Science Education will be Mr. Jerry
McNerney; Technology and Innovation, Mr. Harry Hall,
Investigations and Oversight, Ms. Darlene Hooley.
And let me also take this opportunity, Mr. Bonner is not
here right now, but he had asked me the other day about a
particular Codel, and let me just tell you--I see I got Mr.
Ross's attention--I am one that thinks congressional travel is
a part of the job. I think that you can learn more on site than
you can by hearing witnesses here, and so we are--we want to
try to make that opportunity available to folks.
Let me--and I welcome anybody's suggestions or criticism if
you don't think this is the way to go, but my thought is this.
Just like we are trying to take good ideas, sort of narrow them
and get them through, I think that probably our best Codel
travel really will be on shorter hops, and the reason for this
is, as a practical matter, we have less open breaks this time.
The--I won't say more significant, but the bigger committees
are going to have access to the big planes and so what could
very well happen, we could spend a lot of staff time planning
something and get bumped by Armed Services or somebody else.
So what I see us trying to do is look for those breaks
where we are not going to have a Monday--or rather a Friday or
a Monday vote, leaving on a Thursday night, coming back on
Monday or Tuesday morning, one-shot sorts of things. I am sure
that Dana would like to go to Greenland and see those glaciers
and hear about that. Guyana is not far away, we can go and see
what Arian is doing there. We are trying to compile a list of
sort of one-shot places, sort of one tank of gas efforts, and
so we welcome any of your thoughts.
I know Joe had asked me about the Paris Air Show. I do not
expect that we will be taking that trip for a variety of
reasons, partly we don't have time during that, but it is April
16 to 28. Joe has an emerging aviation industry developing in
his district and I think it is very legitimate that he might
want to go, and so let me also make available to you that if
there is something around the country or around the world that
you think is important to your district and to this committee,
then we have the ability to be able to make a request through
the State Department, and I think you can go on your own. So we
will be happy to work with you on those things.
Again, I think that travel is good for the Committee. I
also find that it is--and Gabrielle was just telling me, she
just got back from Iraq and had a unique opportunity to talk to
my new Senator, Bob Corker, and her--one of her Senators that
she didn't really know as well, and feels a new and better
relationship.
Once you travel with Members under these circumstances,
particularly with their spouses, it is really sort of hard to
be ugly to them, you know, later. And I think we want to
encourage more of that.
I had the opportunity--and I will call it an opportunity,
to go to the Antarctic with Jim Sensenbrenner for two weeks. I
am a better human being for that.
Mr. Hall. Maybe Jim is, too.
Chairman Gordon. So I do--I think the trip to the Antarctic
is the most interesting trip that I have taken since being a
Member of the Science Committee. It is a long trip in contrast
to what we were talking, so it is going to take more planning,
but we are going to put that together during one of the longer
breaks and we will let you know more about that.
Yes, sir? The gentleman from Missouri.
Mr. Akin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, on that subject, I had a chance to do the
Antarctic trip as well. It is bar none the best Codel I ever
took, most informative, most interesting, and this committee
is, as far as I am concerned, the number one in terms of the
most fascinating. It was very well-run. I agree with you on
that.
If it is okay, I just wanted to also compliment Congressmen
Lipinski and Ehlers for the bill that is on the aluminum and
steel. I think it is one of these win/win, as you are talking
about, Mr. Chairman, when you have a chance to fund something,
but if it works, we are going to pay back the government for
the funding. I mean, it is energy related and it is so
important.
My family was in the steel industry, and it is an
absolutely critical piece of legislation. I appreciate your
good work.
[Whereupon, at 11:08 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
Appendix:
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H.R. 363, Amendment Roster, Section-by-Section Summary of Substitute
Amendment for H.R. 363
Section-by-Section Summary of Substitute Amendment for H.R. 363
Section 1 is the short title of the bill, ``Sowing the Seeds Through
Science and Engineering Research Act''.
Section 2 authorizes NSF to carry out a grant program for awards to
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers in
academia or in nonprofit research organizations. The NSF's existing
Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program may be designated as
the mechanism for awarding these grants. The awards will go to
outstanding researchers at the beginning of their careers and are
intended for individuals from a variety of types of institutions,
including minority serving institutions. The grants provide five years
of research funding support at a minimum of $80,000 per year per award.
NSF is required to designate at least 3.5 percent of funds
appropriated for Research and Related Activities to the grant program
for each of FY 2008 through FY 2012.
Section 3 authorizes DOE to carry out a grant program for awards to
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers in
academia or in nonprofit research organizations to conduct research in
fields relevant to the mission of DOE. The awards will go to
outstanding researchers at the beginning of their careers and are
intended for individuals from a variety of types of institutions,
including minority serving institutions. The grants provide five years
of research funding support at a minimum of $80,000 per year per award,
and priority shall go to proposals involving collaborations with
researchers at DOE national laboratories.
Authorizes to DOE $25 million for each year for FY 2008 through FY
2012.
Section 4 directs NSF to allocate at least 1.5 percent of the amounts
appropriated for Research and Related Activities to the Integrative
Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program, which
provides support for graduate students in fields relevant to national
needs. It requires NSF to coordinate with other agencies to expand the
interdisciplinary nature of the IGERT program and authorizes NSF to
accept funds from other agencies to carry out the program.
Section 5 establishes the Presidential Innovation Award presented
periodically, on the basis of recommendations from the Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy, to citizens or permanent
residents of the U.S. who develop unique scientific or engineering
ideas judged to stimulate scientific and engineering advances in the
national interest, to illustrate the linkage between science and
engineering and national needs, and to provide an example to excite the
interest of students in science or engineering professions.
Section 6 establishes a National Coordination Office for Research
Infrastructure under the Office of Science and Technology Policy to
identify and prioritize deficiencies in research facilities and
instrumentation in academic institutions and national laboratories and
to make recommendations for use of funding authorized. The Office is
directed to report to Congress annually at the time of the
administration's budget proposal.
Section 7 authorizes NSF, in carrying out its research programs on
science policy and the science of learning, to support research on the
process of innovation and the teaching of inventiveness.
Section 8 directs NIST to transmit to the House Committee on Science
and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, not later than three months following enactment of the
bill, a report on efforts to recruit and retain early-career scientists
and engineers at NIST.
Section 9 expresses the sense of Congress that a balanced and robust
program in science, aeronautics, exploration, and human space flight at
NASA contributes significantly to national innovation and
competitiveness. It also directs the NASA administrator to participate
fully in interagency efforts to promote innovation and economic
competitiveness through scientific research and development.
Amendment in
